City of Pocatello, ID

Initial Status: General building permit used for all projects

Guidance: Consider adopting a standard application form specific to solar PV for qualifying projects <10kW.

Initial Status: Building permit application form online, but not solar PV specific

Guidance: If solar permit application form is adopted (per P1), make the form available online.

Initial Status: No electronic submittal available

Guidance: Consider allowing for electronic (online or email) submittal of permit application package for qualifying solar projects under 10kW.

Initial Status: 1 submittal

Guidance: City currently at market best practice.

Initial Status: Incomplete process information online

Guidance: Provide information describing the permit process online in an easily accessible location alongside of permit application form. Include approval requirements, submittal requirements, fees, inspection information, and point of contact.

Initial Status: Within 4-5 days residential; 6-10 days commercial

Guidance: Issue or deny permit within 3 business days of submittal for residential projects, and within 5 business days for commercial projects.

Initial Status: Within 2 business days

Guidance: City currently at market best practice.

Initial Status: Appointment window 3-4 hours.

Guidance: City currently at market best practice.

Initial Status: 1 permit inspection

Guidance: City currently at market best practice.

Initial Status: No solar PV inspection checklist available.

Guidance: Adopt a standard regional solar PV inspection checklist.

Initial Status: No exemptions currently granted

Guidance: For qualifying residential systems meeting certain criteria, allow an exemption from structural analysis or structural physical engineering stamp requirements.

Initial Status: No existing solar easement ordinances

Guidance: Create local ordinances which would protect property owners' right to install solar and ensure their property has unobstructed access to direct sunlight.

Initial Status: No solar specific ordinances for construction

Guidance: Solar ready ordinance encouraging solar-friendly construction Explore creation of municipal ordinances which require new homes and buildings to be built solar-ready

Initial Status: Solar is not addressed in standards for new construction

Guidance: Include solar development goals in long term planning documents.

Initial Status: Solar is not currently addressed in zoning ordinances

Guidance: Ensure the zoning codes and ordinances that govern solar installations, such as setbacks, height limits and lot use provisions, do not restrict property owners' ability to install solar.

Initial Status: Solar is not addressed in zoning standards in historic and viewshed areas

Guidance: Ensure the zoning codes and ordinances that govern solar installations in aesthetically sensitive areas do not adversely affect property owners' ability to install solar. Allow staff members to review and approve applications when possible rather than requiring committee or planning commission review.

Initial Status: Status of third party financing agreements in the state is unclear.

Guidance: Support efforts to ensure state-level utility regulations do not restrict these finance mechanisms.

Initial Status: No existing regulations supporting community solar projects in the state.

Guidance: Support efforts to ensure state-level utility regulations allow community solar projects.

Initial Status: PACE program does not exist in the state

Guidance: Support efforts to develop state-level legislation enabling local PACE programs.

Initial Status: Limited solar financing options available

Guidance: Encourage local financial institutions to establish loan programs for solar energy systems.

Initial Status: Minimal awareness of solar finance options and solar evaluation tools available to home and business

Guidance: Publicize the availability of local solar finance options and solar evaluation tools for potential buyers. This can be done via webinars, marketing materials, or by providing links and information online.

Initial Status: No current residential solar procurement program

Guidance: Support the creation of a working group of community leaders and funding providers. This group would evaluate options and determine the most viable approach for aggregating residential solar based on best practices to date.

Initial Status: No current commercial solar procurement program

Guidance: Establish a working group of businesses and commercial property owners to leverage their solar purchasing power by aggregating facilities for solar evaluation and procurement to reduce energy costs while demonstrating community leadership.

Initial Status: No known solar projects at these sites currently

Guidance: Establish a working group to identify solar feasibility at municipal landfill and water treatment sites.

Initial Status: No solar workforce development resources and industry training tools on City website

Guidance: Provide online access to training programs and resources for the installer community and potential workforce and organize an outreach and/or training event in order to generate awareness and understanding.

Initial Status: Limited solar educational resouces on City website

Guidance: Help promote the availability of online tools and resources for the residential, commercial, and municipal solar markets through existing networks.